Bangalore: Poll Effect - Shobha Promises Uninterrupted Power Till May

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, May 17: Given the fact that elections to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly must be held by May 2013, State Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje on Monday announced that the the State Government has taken steps to ensure uninterrupted power supply in the State during the summer season till the end of May.

Shobha Karandlaje is a staunch loyalist of former chief minister B S Yeddyurapppa, who has broken off from the ruling BJP severing his 40-year-long association with the saffron parivar and has formally taken over as the chief of his own regional outfit Karnataka Janata Party (KJP).

She, however, described the decision to ensure uninterrupted power supply was taken with a view to see that students would not be put to hardships as annual examinations are due during the months of March to May in all the schools and colleges in the State.

``We have already tied up arrangements to see that the energy requirements of the State are adequately met during the summer season,” she said.

The minister declined to answer questions on political issues.

The minister said the Energy Department has decided not to use hydel power stations to the maximum capacity as of now.

Karnataka’s hydel projects have been generating 10 to 12 million units per day these days against the capacity of 32 million units.

She said residents of Bangalore City would also get regular power in the summer days.
The demand for power from domestic, commercial and industrial users would touch 185 million units in the State during the peak summer, she said.

Asserting that rural areas would continue to get single phase electricity from 6 am to 6 pm, the Minister said there could be disruptions in power supply during nights in rural areas.

However, she hastened add that the disruptions in power supply in rural areas would be mainly on account of technical reasons.

On the steps taken to mitigate power crisis, the minister said the Narendra Modi-led BJP t Government in Gurarat has agreed to supply 500 MW to the State.

Talks were under progress on to buy 200 MW from other private firms, she said.

Karandlaje said she would lead a delegation to Delhi to meet Union Power Minister M Veerappa Moily on Tuesday to seek coal linkages for a Bellary Thermal Power Station as the Centre has reduced coal allocation to State’s thermal projects.

The delegation would urge the Centre to provide coal linkages to thermal projects in Yeramarus in Raichur and Chhattisgarh, she said.

She said the State Government would build a theme park in memory of martyr Sangolli Rayanna in Belgaum.

The historical monument has been neglected and there was need to renovate the place where he was hanged, she said pointing out that Sangolli Rayanna was a revered hero of Karnataka.

It was proposed to acquire 12 acres around the fort to build the theme park and some farmers have agreed to give their land.

The story of army chief of Kingdom of Kittur Sangolli Rayanna, who sacrificed his life for the freedom struggle, would be depicted on a stone to educate the visitors, the minister added.